Dates of Essentials course (In Person) / Monday (8/17/2026) - Friday (8/21/2026) 8am - 4:00p (EST)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Monday, August 10, 2026

The Essentials of Victim Advocacy is a nationally approved, comprehensive training designed to offer trauma-informed knowledge and skills to individuals serving survivors of crime and other traumatic event.

Participants who successfully complete the course may apply to become a Credentialed Advocate (CA) at the Provisional level through the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP). Additionally, social workers and counselors who are licensed through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (O-CSWMFTB) can earn up to 30 continuing education hours upon successful completion of all course requirements.

Participants who successfully complete this 44-hour course will become equipped to use the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Model of Crisis Intervention to assist individuals impacted by victimization or traumatic events. In addition, participants will learn foundational knowledge about using a trauma informed approach to support people in crisis, as well as fundamentals about the judicial system, victims’ rights, different types of victimization, and support resources available for both victims and the person providing crisis intervention.

Those who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1. Identify ways that crisis and trauma can affect people impacted by crime, victimization, or other traumatic events.
2. Understand different victimization types, the organizations or systems people may encounter following a victimization, and the automatic and requestable rights of all victims.
3. Apply a trauma informed approach to their presence when working with people in crisis.
4. Use trauma informed skills, tools, and approaches, including the NOVA Model of Crisis Intervention, to provide effective crisis intervention in response to all victims of crisis, trauma, and tragedy.